Professor John Osae Kwapong, a Democracy and Development Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has underscored the significance of honesty, and character to voters in the upcoming 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The renowned political scientist, in an interview with the Vaultz News, affirmed the findings of the second part of round 10 of the Afrobarometer survey, noting the underlying trust deficit that has led Ghanaians to prioritize moral character over policy proposals.
“For me, my interpretation is that Ghanaians know exactly the key issues that they are struggling with, or want addressed; issues around unemployment, and other economy-related issues.
“They also want a leader that can be trusted; a leader that they believe if we hand them over the reins of power, and hand them the governing institutions, that they will be able to address those key challenges that they are facing”.
Professor John Osae Kwapong, Democracy and Development Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
He pointed out that this shift suggests that Ghanaians are not only focused on finding leaders who can articulate solutions to socio-economic issues but also those whose word they can trust to enact real, positive change.
Professor Kwapong attributed this preference to years of disillusionment and growing cynicism towards politicians, noting that many Ghanaians perceive political leaders as saying whatever it takes to secure votes.
“Ghanaians want a leader they can trust to address their key challenges,” he said, emphasizing that the nation’s political discourse has fostered scepticism.
This heightened focus on integrity and character, he noted reflects an emerging demand for leaders who not only understand pressing issues but also exhibit the values to see their promises through.
Professor Osae Kwapong further noted that both major parties’ candidates, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have been keen to assert their own personal principles and trustworthiness alongside their policy platforms.
According to him, while Dr. Bawumia has emphasized economic transformation through digitalization, positioning himself as a leader who can be trusted to lead Ghana into a digitally-driven future, former President Mahama has also emphasized his commitment to honesty, pledging to govern transparently and deliver on core promises, including a potential 24-hour economy to address unemployment.
In assessing whether the candidates are effectively responding to the electorate’s call for honesty, Professor Kwapong noted, “They both attempt to emphasize personal values, framing themselves as trustworthy stewards of Ghana’s future.”
“In a few months ago, I wrote that when all is said and done, the election would also boil down to who Ghanaians believe they can trust to help them address the challenges that the country faces. And for me, the ultimate judgment would come from the Ghanaian people on December 7.”
Professor John Osae Kwapong, Democracy and Development Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
Misinformation and Disinformation
However, Professor Osae Kwapong, who doubles as the head of the Democracy Project at the Centre for Democratic Development expressed concern over the alarming nature of misinformation and disinformation in this year’s campaign season.
He pointed out that the integrity of the campaign discourse has been threatened by misinformation, adding that misinformation and disinformation, especially on social media, have proliferated, distorting the positions and reputations of the candidates.
While he noted that the primary candidates themselves have largely maintained an honest campaign approach, their supporters, or other actors, have frequently engaged in false narratives.
“Every single week, there’s something labeled as fake news attributed to the candidates,” he observed, stressing that both candidates must strongly condemn and distance themselves from misinformation efforts, which risk further undermining public trust.
The Value of Campaign Promise on Voters Choice
Highlighting why 59% of voters value campaign promises, Professor Osae Kwapong noted that most voters regard campaign promises as secondary to character and honesty. He asserted that the finding reflects voters’ wariness towards campaign pledges, often seen as unfulfilled political commitments.
Professor Kwapong indicated that political parties tend to overpromise, diluting the likelihood of full delivery and fostering scepticism.
“For me, I hope that political parties would get to a point where they identify a handful of the most pressing issues in particular sectors to address. Because when you make that many promises, you create a certain level of respect. Voters or Ghanaians expect that you would deliver on all of those promises, so when you come back at some point to give reasons as to why certain promises have not been met or have not been kept, it fuels that cynicism about politics and politicians.
“So for me, instead of promising 100 things and saying, oh, but you were able to do 60 of them, the nature of the voter is that they would keep pointing you to what about the 40 that you couldn’t do because you promised them that you do all 100?”
Professor John Osae Kwapong, Democracy and Development Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
According to Professor Kwapong, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has consistently found that unfulfilled promises are a top reason for voter apathy, highlighting the critical need for candidates to align promises with integrity.
With the December election drawing near, he affirmed the need for ethical leadership and commitment to transparency and accountability.
Moreover, Professor John Osae Kwapong, in an in-depth review of Afrobarometer’s survey findings shared insights into voter behaviour and institutional trust as Ghana’s 2024 election approaches.
He explored themes like voter loyalty, youth disengagement, economic priorities, and the consequences of waning trust in key democratic institutions.
Strong Partisan Loyalty with a Growing Number of Independents
The survey indicates that 58% of Ghanaians intend to support the same party for both presidential and parliamentary candidates. According to Professor Osae Kwapong, this underscores the dependable support bases political parties can leverage during elections.
“Political parties rely heavily on their strong core of supporters,” he said, emphasizing how parties often encourage unified votes for both presidential and parliamentary candidates to promote cohesive governance.
Nevertheless, 15% of respondents indicated plans to split their vote, opting for different parties at the presidential and parliamentary levels. Professor Osae Kwapong interpreted this as a sign of voters increasingly valuing individual candidates over party allegiance.
“The other thing too is that if you actually look at Afrobarometer, there’s a question on, do you feel close to any particular political party? When the first question was first asked in round 1 in 1999, it was about 60-something per cent. And regularly, it stayed in the high sixties. So about 2 thirds say they feel close to a political party.
“But for the first time in 2022, in round 9, that dropped, to below 50%. So my interpretation is that there are Ghanaians who are loosening their ties with political parties, and that is why those who would identify themselves as partisan, have dropped. And now you have an increasing number who are saying, that they don’t feel close to any particular political party”.
Professor John Osae Kwapong, Democracy and Development Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
Youth Apathy and the Struggle for Political Engagement
The survey also revealed a troubling trend of voter apathy among young people, with 19% of respondents aged 18–35 indicating a lack of interest in voting.
Professor Osae Kwapong attributed this to disillusionment, with young voters doubting that elections will result in meaningful change or address their pressing concerns.
He further noted that several young voters may perceive ongoing partisan conflicts between the NDC and NPP as prioritizing political rivalry over national interests.
He also emphasized that political parties must adopt new strategies to engage the youth meaningfully, stressing that beyond mere promises, they should demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing critical issues such as youth unemployment, economic empowerment, and the quality of education.
“So it’s up to the political parties to also start asking themselves, how can we tone down partisan rhetoric and give voters this feeling that truly it is country first and not political party, first? The other thing is that particularly for young voters, the parties must be seen to address the issues that face them. I mean, ultimately, voters want solutions to public problems. The young, the old, the middle-aged, and all of that.
“And so for me, the way you respond to this phenomenon is to demonstrate that you are solving problems, and individuals must feel it in very tangible ways that problems are being solved. That, for me, is the key way to addressing this voter apathy and making people believe that voting does make a difference, that who you vote for has consequences for policies and programs”.
Professor John Osae Kwapong, Democracy and Development Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
Economic Concerns Over Governance Issues in Voting Priorities
Additionally, the CDD-Ghana Democracy and Development Fellow pointed out that in Ghana, economic issues often outweigh governance-related factors in shaping voter choices.
Professor Osae Kwapong noted that while the public is concerned about institutional trust and corruption, issues like unemployment, inflation, and the cost of living take precedence.
“Look, at the list of most important problems in 2024 Afobarometer in an election year, corruption is the 9th issue. If you look at the NCCE survey, again, I don’t think corruption was even in the top seven issues. And if you look at Global InfoAnalytics, corruption doesn’t rank as high in comparison to things like the economy, unemployment, jobs, all of those things.
“So while I belong to the school of thought that says that democracy has to deliver more than just the political dividends, which are the basic rights that we all want; Democracy must also address your bread and butter issues including jobs, access to health care, and access to good quality education. The linkage is there except that I think when voters are facing real economic challenges, the last thing on their mind is democracy; they will always think about who can solve my economic problems.”
Professor John Osae Kwapong, Democracy and Development Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
This separation of democracy from tangible economic gains highlights that many voters prioritize immediate financial relief over broader reforms such as anti-corruption efforts or democratic enhancement.
For Professor Osae Kwapong, this presents a significant challenge as weak institutions and perceived corruption can continue to limit the government’s capacity to address economic issues effectively.
Economic Hardship and Declining Trust in Institutions: A Caution for Ghana’s Democratic Future
Looking into the future, Professor Osae Kwapong predicted that if the economic situation in the country does not change to the better, he anticipates consistent political turnovers.
“So when people didn’t feel that good about the economy in 2016, we saw a one-time President. If it doesn’t get better, I suspect that voters would get to a point where if they feel the pain too bad, they won’t hesitate to change a party after one term to try and see if another party can at least get them what they want or bring back the country on track”.
Professor John Osae Kwapong, Democracy and Development Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
Another major concern for Professor Osae Kwapong is the decline in public trust in essential institutions like the Electoral Commission (EC), judiciary, and police, which are vital for ensuring free and fair elections.
He warned that continued erosion of trust in these entities could undermine confidence in elections and potentially increase voter apathy. “You cannot sustain confidence in election amidst declining trust in your Electoral Commission, judiciary, and police,” he emphasized, underscoring their importance in maintaining election credibility and impartiality.
He emphasised that if this trend persists, Ghanaians might begin to doubt elections as the foundation of democracy. “We could eventually entertain non-electoral means of choosing leaders,” he cautioned.
Media and Civil Society: Advocates for Accountability
Given these challenges, Professor Osae Kwapong stressed the significant roles of media and civil society organizations (CSOs) in enhancing democracy and promoting transparency.
He urged the media to maintain independence and avoid polarized reporting, presenting balanced and issue-focused coverage instead. “Not every topic should be reduced to debates between the two main parties… the media should also provide objective solutions,” he suggested.
He envisioned the media as a neutral body contributing to constructive political dialogue. Similarly, he urged civil society organizations and activists alike to persist in holding the government accountable, ensuring transparency, and fostering bipartisan collaboration.
These groups should continue “highlighting partisan rhetoric” and promoting a culture where the nation’s interest comes before party politics.
Institutional Reforms: A Path Forward
Emphasizing the need for urgent institutional reforms, Professor Osae Kwapong praised recent steps taken by Ghana’s parliament to update its Standing Orders, expressing optimism that it could enhance its effectiveness and rebuild trust.
He also expressed hope regarding judicial reforms initiated by the Chief Justice aimed at restoring public faith in the judiciary, however, he stressed that ongoing efforts are essential to address growing public skepticism.
Pofessor Osae Kwapong’s analysis points to a crucial turning point for the nation. With changing voter loyalties, reduced youth participation, and declining institutional trust, comprehensive reforms across political, media, and institutional arenas are urgently needed.
To strengthen democracy, Ghana must prioritize transparent governance, tackle economic challenges head-on, and ensure key institutions are seen as trustworthy guardians of the public interest.
By taking these steps, political leaders, civil society, and the media can collectively work to restore faith in the electoral process, uphold democratic values, and inspire Ghanaians, especially the youth, to believe in the impact of their vote.
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